FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - The fiscal year 2025-2026 special district assessments was considered during the July 16 Fair Oak Recreation and Park District (FORPD) Board of Directors meeting. 

The Fair Oaks Parks Maintenance and Recreation Improvement District includes all properties served by the park district. The assessment collects $46.64 per single-family residence for a total annual revenue of approximately $647,000 for the district. 

The Phoenix Field Landscape and Lighting District specifically serves properties in the Phoenix Field area. The assessment of $154.58 per residence brings in approximately $56,614 in annual revenue. 

The Gum Ranch Lighting and Landscape District serves properties in the Gum Ranch area. The assessment is between $257.62 – $432.52 depending on the location of the residence within the boundaries, with a collected annual total of $115,703. 

The board voted unanimously to approve the 2025-2026 assessments, to be collected through the Sacramento County property tax roll. 

The board also considered the 2025-2026 Fee Schedule, which is reviewed annually to ensure the fees appropriately cover the cost of services and that all fees comply with applicable laws. The public hearing also gives residents an opportunity to provide input on the fees. 

Recreation Manager Nick Davison said the goal is “to keep fees as affordable as possible, all while being fiscally responsible.”

While the majority of district fees remain unchanged from the last fiscal year, there were some notable updates, including new specialty camps ($45-$65) and youth theater camps ($100-$450). 

The electric vehicle charging stations have charging fee range of 0.29-0.39 cents per kilowatt hour, and 0.50-$1.00 per minute for idle fees. 

Increases to existing fees included sports registrations, summer camps, Santa Stops and tickets for Breakfast with the Bunny.  

Preschool rates will have an allowable increase in the range of 24% to 58%. 

The updated fees will help offset the increased operational costs in the district and the board unanimously approved the changes. The approved fees will take effect immediately. 

The board then gave direction to staff regarding the size and location of a Board of Directors Dedication Plaque to be displayed at the Fair Oaks Performing Arts Center in the Village. 

Arts and Entertainment Manager Jen Schuler said they are planning for a bronze plaque, so it will “last forever, essentially.” 

Various interior and exterior locations were discussed, with many directors favoring placement outside the venue. They selected a size and requested staff move forward with bids. This item will be brought back to the Board with mock-ups of the plaque for review and a final decision on the location. 

The board discussed the possibility of amending the Fair Oaks Recreation Foundation bylaws in order to split it into an entity separate from the Fair Oak Recreation and Park District Board of Directors, which currently also serves as the board for the foundation. 

District Administrator Mike Aho said having a separate foundation board would broaden its role in the community and allow for deeper engagement. 

“We need a foundation that is actively engaged in fundraising and operations,” with “more of a finger in the pie, if you will,” Aho said.  

Under the current arrangement, Aho said, the board votes on foundation business, but they are not actively engaged in fundraising since that is outside their role. But with the improved facilities set to open this year and the expanded services the district will be offering, a separate foundation would provide more support. 

The proposed changes include the current board appointing community members to the first seats on the foundation board, while still maintaining one or two seats on the foundation for Board members. Aho said this will ensure the board still has input and oversight of the foundation. 

Director Ralph Carhart worried that since the board would only have a minority on the foundation, they could “go rogue” and vote to eliminate the Board seats. 

Aho said, “You are turning the reins over” but the bylaws could only be changed by a unanimous vote. 

Board Chair Delinda Tamagni said that the independent auditor who reviews the budgets of the board and the foundation has encouraged this change for years, because “running the foundation is not really the function of the park board.” 

The board consensus was to send the updated foundation bylaws to the attorney for review. 

Aho also provided an update about the opening of the improved facilities in the Village, which he said is unfortunately going to be delayed. The last estimate was for an opening in August but Aho said, “We are not going to be open when we thought we would be able to open.” 

The current delay is estimated to be up to six weeks, putting the potential opening in mid-September. But Aho said, “It’s not guaranteed yet. I want to be clear on that.”

Aho said the delay is due to a compliance issue with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was discovered in an early courtesy inspection by the county. 

“We’ve had multiple early inspections and this is the one that caught us. And it’s a good thing it caught us,” said Aho.

If this issue had only been found at the final inspection, it would have further delayed the opening and been much more difficult to make the necessary changes. 

“It’s going to cost us money. There’s no question,” said Aho. “I don’t know how much money.” Aho said they are going forward with the design work now, and “we’ll start the modifications, and the construction, and the demolition work necessary to complete this.” 

“The team is doing a great job navigating the change, but everybody is frustrated,” said Aho. “There’s not a single person on the team who’s not frustrated. I’m sure there’s not a single community member who’s not frustrated. And I know you’re frustrated.”

“We’re doing the best we can to get through this issue,” said Aho, “and hopefully we won’t see anything like this the rest of the way. 

The next Fair Oak Recreation and Park District Board of Directors is scheduled for Aug. 20